Boyfriend Charged In Murder-Kidnap Of Upper Darby Infant

UPPER DARBY, Pa. (CBS) — A man accused of kidnapping an infant from Upper Darby is now charged with the baby’s murder.

Upper Darby police superintendent Michael Chitwood made the announcement this morning that 30-year-old Ummad Rushdi has been charged with first-, second-, and third-degree murder in the death of seven-month-old Hamza Ali. Rushdi is also charged with kidnapping and with disposing of a body.

The infant was last seen alive August 3rd at his mother’s home on Chestnut Street in Upper Darby, then reported missing on August 6th after the mother became increasingly doubtful about Rushdi’s assurances that he was caring for the baby (see related stories). Rushdi was arrested in York, Pa. on August 7th.

Investigators believe Rushdi disposed of the infant’s body in York or Lancaster county, Pa., near where he lives, after killing it because it interfered with his budding relationship with the baby’s mother. Rushdi told investigators that the baby’s death was an accident.

Chitwood quotes Rushdi as saying the baby’s body “can’t be retrieved,” adding that the crime is “a barbaric act committed by a barbarian.”

Rushdi is being held without bail. A hearing is set for September 9th.